The village also produces coffee, but tea is the best cash crop I've ever seen or heard of:
1. It serves ecology through the prevention of soil erosion.
1a. Can be planted on extreme slopes.
1b. Permaculture with extensive roots and a solid canopy.
1c. Creates a protected undergrowth habitat for fauna.
2. It requires no pesticides.
3. It requires little nutrients.
4. Requires very little labor - pruning once every three years.
5. Provides a year round harvest (it rains at night 8 months/year - the wet side of the mountain)
6. Very stable prices.
7. Minimal community collection and processing required prior to sale.
8. Intercroping inclined.
For pics of the physical environment, see:
ecofarm's Album: pics
The waist-high light green bush covering the majority of the landscape is tea.
(pic file names give a brief description)